SUMMARY

• Source control is a major determinant affecting outcomes in patients with sepsis.
• The need for source control should be linked into the diagnostic process of sepsis patients.
• Source control should be considered in every sepsis patient, but it may not be necessary to control a source of infection in all patients.

REVIEW

• Difficulties obtaining source control in sepsis patients include:
  • It’s definition
  • The optimal timing of source control
  • The lack of standardized methods for source control
  • Avoidance or delay of source control is associated with poor outcomes.
• Source control strategies include:

CONSIDERATIONS OF SOURCE CONTROL:

• Source Control Sites:
  • Abdominal infections
  • Blood Stream Infections
  • Central Venous Catheter
• Patient Factors – numerous factors play a role
  • Severity of illness (hemodynamics, respiratory, metabolic)
  • Coagulation
  • Location & extent of infection
  • Ongoing contamination
  • Risk of collateral damage
• Avoid additional damagery strategy ma
  • • In some situations, a temporary be preferred
    • Definitive interventions should occur when patient’s physiologic condition has improved.
• A failed attempt at source control
  • Ongoing infection
  • Incomplete source control
  • Ongoing contamination
  • Combination of items

CONCLUSIONS

• Appropriate source control is a key factor in sepsis management.
• Without adequate source control, clinical stabilization or improvement may not occur.

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Erkan Hassan is the Co-Founder & Chief Clinical Officer of Sepsis Program Optimization where he designs & oversees the implementation of solutions to optimize sepsis programs.

To discuss your organization’s Barriers of Effective Sepsis Care, contact Erkan by phone (844) 4SEPSIS (844-473-7747), email (erkan@spo.icu), or video chat.